3 huge problems Raptors must fix amid shaky start to 2022-23

1. The bench remains terrible

Yeah, I get it. Otto Porter Jr. and Chris Boucher haven’t played yet this season. I like those guys! They’re proven veterans. However, losing those two is not an excuse for a team with the expectations Toronto has to get even less production from the second unit than they had last year.

Christian Koloko has been very impressive defensively, but he needs a metric ton of work on offense. Preseason star Dalano Banton moves the needle not one iota. Thad Young looks nothing like the player we saw last season, somewhat concerningly so. Even Precious Achiuwa has been far from dominant in Games 1 and 2.

The Toronto Raptors need to have a better bench.

If Barnes is going to miss time or play at less than 100% for the next few games, this already thin unit is going to get stretched to the point of bursting. The only things that can save this group now are Achiuwa playing out of his mind or Young turning back the clock.

The Raptors’ lack of a bench is likely not going to go away anytime soon, so any improvements need to come internally. We’ve seen these players have individual moments of greatness, but they need to start showing their skills more regularly.